Molly Ayala
Animals have evolved to use electricity in fascinating ways, and some creatures are even able to detect electrical stimuli. This ability, known as electroreception, is used by many species to locate prey, communicate, and defend themselves. While electroreception is found almost exclusively in aquatic or amphibious animals, some land animals like the platypus and echidna can also detect electricity. In the following paragraphs, we will explore the diverse range of animals that possess this remarkable ability and uncover the unique ways they harness electrical power in their daily lives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Animals that can detect electricity | Platypus, Echidna, Oriental Hornet, Sharks, Rays, Guiana Dolphin, Stargazer, Bees, Electric Eel, Elephantfish |
| Platypus' bill covered in | Nearly 40,000 electricity sensors or electroreceptors |
| Electric eel's power | Up to 860 volts |
| Sharks' electrosense capability | Detect voltage gradients as small as one-billionth of a volt |
| Oriental Hornet's unique capability | Only known animal that can convert sunlight into energy |
| Stargazer's modified eye muscles | Emit an electric charge to stun prey |
| Guiana Dolphin's special pores | Vibrissal crypts |
| Electric rays' organs | Kidney-shaped and capable of generating electric shocks |
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What You'll Learn
Electric eels
These eels are mostly nocturnal and obligate air breathers, surfacing periodically to breathe. They inhabit the quiet, slow-moving waters of the Amazon and Orinoco basins, including streams, pools, swamps, and flooded forests. They are adapted to thrive in poorly oxygenated waters and can survive in a range of habitats.
There are currently three recognised species within the electric eel genus: Electrophorus electricus, Electrophorus varii, and Electrophorus voltai. These species differ in their prey preferences and hunting strategies. Electric eels are remarkable fish that have fascinated scientists and continue to be studied for their unique abilities.
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Platypuses
The electroreceptors on a platypus's bill are arranged in stripes, with open nerve endings converging and popping out into mucous gland pores in the bill, providing direct access to currents in the water. The electroreceptors are also connected to the mucous glands on the surface of the platypus's skin. These receptors fill the dual functions of detecting electricity and preventing the platypus's bill from drying out when it is out of the water.
The evolution of electroreception in platypuses is an example of convergent evolution, where unrelated species evolve analogous organs to adapt to their habitats. Platypuses are semi-aquatic and only feed in the water, so electrical sensitivity is a more efficient way to hunt than using their eyes, ears, or noses. This is in contrast to echidnas, which are closely related to platypuses but live in drier climates and have far fewer electroreceptors.
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Sharks
The secret behind a shark's electroreception lies in its unique anatomy. Around their snouts and lower jaws, sharks have tiny pores called ampullae of Lorenzini or ampullae de Lorenzini. These pores are filled with an electrically conductive jelly, and at the bottom of each pore are hair-like cells called cilia. When electrical currents pass through the jelly, the cilia respond by triggering the release of neurotransmitters in the shark's brain, signalling the presence of potential prey.
The electroreception ability is not unique to sharks but is shared with other members of the elasmobranch fish family, including rays and skates. However, the sensitivity of shark electroreception surpasses that of their relatives. This fine-tuned ability enhances their hunting capabilities, making them incredibly keen predators in the vast and often camouflaging depths of the ocean.
In addition to electroreception, sharks also possess a lateral line—a sensory organ that stretches from their gills to their tail. This lateral line, along with their sharp senses, combines with electroreception to make sharks exceptional hunters in their aquatic environment.
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Oriental hornets
The discovery of the oriental hornet's ability to convert sunlight into energy was made by scientists who noticed that the hornet was active during times when the sun was most intense, an unusual trait for its kind. This led them to examine the structure of the hornet's exoskeleton, which functions as a solar cell. The exoskeleton contains chitin, a substance found in the exoskeletons of many invertebrates.
The silk caps of the pupae of the oriental hornet have also been found to exhibit electrical properties. Measurements taken in the dark, within a range of biological temperatures, detected a clear correlation between temperature rise and the increase in electric current forming in the silk. At the temperature associated with maximal current (28-31 °C), the electric current reached hundreds of nAmp, while at 5 °C the current was only dozens of nAmp. This temperature range is identical to the optimal temperature for hornet nest development, suggesting that the electricity may play a role in thermoregulation.
The discovery of electricity generation in oriental hornets has potential implications for the development of semiconductors and the use of solar energy. It also highlights the potential for other insects to have similar electricity-generating abilities.
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Bees
Flowers are known to experience a change in electric charge after being visited by bees. This change in electric charge is believed to be caused by the electric fields that build up on bees as they fly and flutter their wings. These electric fields can be quite strong and cause the bees' antennae to bend or deflect, providing signals to their brains.
Through sensing these electric fields, bees can determine whether a flower is worth investigating. If a flower has recently been visited by another bee, its electrical field may be altered, indicating that its nectar and pollen reserves have been depleted. Bees may also use these electrical signals to communicate with each other, especially in the dark recesses of their hives.
Additionally, research suggests that flowers may also use electrical signals to communicate with bees and other flowers. Flowers produce patterns of electrical signals, similar to a neon sign, that can convey information to bees. These signals can enhance the attractiveness of the flower, making it more likely to be visited by bees. Furthermore, flowers may even be able to detect the electrical signals of bees from a distance and adjust their nectar production accordingly.
While the specific mechanisms and impacts of these electrical connections are still being studied, the discovery of electric detection in bees and flowers has provided new insights into the sophisticated communication between these organisms.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few animals that are known to detect electricity. These include the platypus, echidna, electric eel, elephantfish, Guiana dolphin, shark, and oriental hornet.
Animals that can detect electricity have electroreceptors in their skin or snout that help them detect electric impulses from potential meals. Some animals have special sensory organs that help them hunt underwater.
Electroreception is the biological ability to perceive electrical stimuli. It is used to locate prey and is found almost exclusively in aquatic or amphibious animals as water is a better conductor of electricity than air.
